Raloxifene therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with a significant reduction in the concentration of serum vascular endothelial growth factor

Abstract 

Objective

To determine whether raloxifene has an effect on serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in postmenopausal women.

Design

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting

University-based obstetrics and gynecology unit.

Patient(s)

Fifty postmenopausal women who did not receive any hormone therapy in the 6 months preceding the study.

Intervention(s)

The participants were randomly assigned on a one-to-one basis to receive either raloxifene (60 mg daily) or placebo for 36 weeks.

Main outcome measure(s)

Serum VEGF concentrations at baseline and at 12 weeks and 36 weeks after the commencement of intervention.

Result(s)

The serum VEGF concentrations in the raloxifene group were significantly reduced from 247 ± 16 pg/mL at baseline to 195 ± 11 pg/mL at 36 weeks after starting raloxifene. The placebo group showed no significant change in the serum VEGF concentrations throughout the intervention period.

Conclusion(s)

Raloxifene therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with a significant reduction in serum VEGF concentration.

Keywords:  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hormone therapy, raloxifene, postmenopausal women